Okay it won't let me change the title for some reason.
This is the girls.
oday we said goodbye to our Group 1 friends, here are the 3 women I just spent time in Gulu town.
Danielle, although she was right Dani Bananas never stuck, is a special teacher. I saw her teach 120 girls linear functions in Gulu High, and it was the largest ratio of student weight to teacher weight that I have ever witnessed. But don't be fooled by her size, Danielle knows how to command a room. She is passionate about her ideas, and even when I make a great point (ha), she often will not be swayed in her passion or her thoughts. She is from South Carolina, and has a southern passion about her that is contagious. She wants to do what is best for her students, and I expect she is a handful for administrators in her school that do not listen to her ideas. I believe Danielle will be one of the young teachers that teach for 30 more years. She knows herself and her students and this combination can mean only one thing---good news for her school and those that will attend her class. I hope she stays in teaching forever.
Margot probably smiled the most of everyone in the house. Sometimes she would pause for a minute as if thinking what I am supposed to do now, and then she would remember---oh yeah, this is where I laugh and smile. She was always kind and always listening. I think Margot's passion is theatre, so she will probably take a different path then some of us. But I know she will bring laughter and joy to all of the people she encounters. She is like a humidifier in the winter in St. Louis. Sometimes it is not obvious that she is there, and then you realize that oh yeah, I am feeling pretty good right now, Margot must be close. Oh yeah, she likes to dance with her wrist at 90 degree angles.
Catherine is my final colleague, and it was interesting walking back from the conference and realizing her time in Gulu was soon to be over, she was crying. I hustled across the street to talk with her and say goodbye, and also hopefully with a quick hug, show her that I appreciated all of the talents she brought to our house. She ran several workshops that taught us how to use the tools of drama in our classroom. Catherine is proud of being an Egyptian, and at first looks to be really serious, but she understands the most complicated of nuances. And if you think she is serious, she will fool you pretty quickly, as she is often in the crowd that acts the silliest. She has a courage in her actions and her movement and has a self-confidence that allows her to be serious and quiet and sometimes, and yet to crack into song or a smile at a moment's notice.
The goodbye was tough for some, but I thought that I was really lucky to spend some real time with 6 people that I never would have met in my life. And I feel humbled and blessed that I have become friends with this wonderful group.
peace
john
Walk to Atanga SS
Saturday, July 7, 2007
6 Colleagues (the guys)
NOTE: I know many of you have talked about sending packages of some type. I think your gifts could be more effective if you wait for me to get back and I can help you with some ideas. The students of Awere and the people of Gulu, thank you in advance.
Today, we said goodbye to the Group 1 teachers. On this blog, I have tried to use names to give you some feel of our days. Now I would like to tell you about my 6 colleagues.
Phil has a Ph. D. and is currently teaching at Boise State. He was closest to me in age and also to world view. We had several short chats where it just seemed our acknowledgment of mutual thoughts was comforting. I thought he was the old man of the group, but it turns out that is me. (Damn, I hate when that happens). Phil was and is very dedicated to his craft and his teaching. He is an old Detroit kid, and accepted my World Series commemorative ball with good humor and good grace. I like to know that there are people like Phil Kelly in the world. I think he brings a common sense and everyman's heart to everything he does and everyone he teaches. He also has the power of conviction to not be easily swayed from his views. He trusts the path he has taken, and uses his experience to help those around him and his students. I think the best part of Phil is the part I have not seen, he is a father to 3 daughters and has a wonderful wife, and I bet that just being a dad on a daily basis is Phil's greatest talent. Thanks, Phil.
On the other side of the age spectrum is Brian, Brian went to Miss. State, and the two of us are going to try to figure out how to see a State baseball game somewhere next year. He taught last year in Mississippi, but is moving to Houston to help his best friend coach and teach soccer. Brian is an English teacher, and brings real and honest dedication to his work. He was always being nice to someone in our house. I think he might have done the best job of just meeting people where they were and listening to them and sharing his thoughts with their views. I think he will be a wonderful teacher, and I would have brought him home to teach at Nerinx, but he is too cute and would have provided too much of a distraction to you girls. It is amazing how both Phil and Brian although completely different people share a real love of family. Brian has two brothers that he talked about often and very fondly. You can tell he has a real admiration for the work his father has done.
The third male, is also quite different. Seth Finkle is from New York and taught the Horah (spelling ???---the chair dance to his students at Gulu High). Seth is what you would think of as a fun loving person, who is working hard at theater at NYU. He was the first to welcome us in the house and he has a spirit that is infecting. He just enjoys like and enjoys being Seth. I walked with him this morning to the conference and he relayed a wonderful story about his admiration for a friend of his who is finishing a run playing Simba in the Lion King on Broadway! Seth recognized the significance of the role, but still talked about his friend with the pride and admiration that only a friend can do. He will continue to be a good friend to all he runs into, and I think I have a picture of Seth dancing at HEALS that if I have not uploaded I will soon. I imagine the people that are close friends of Seth to be very lucky people, and I also expect that each week he is alive, this number continues to grow.
Today, we said goodbye to the Group 1 teachers. On this blog, I have tried to use names to give you some feel of our days. Now I would like to tell you about my 6 colleagues.
Phil has a Ph. D. and is currently teaching at Boise State. He was closest to me in age and also to world view. We had several short chats where it just seemed our acknowledgment of mutual thoughts was comforting. I thought he was the old man of the group, but it turns out that is me. (Damn, I hate when that happens). Phil was and is very dedicated to his craft and his teaching. He is an old Detroit kid, and accepted my World Series commemorative ball with good humor and good grace. I like to know that there are people like Phil Kelly in the world. I think he brings a common sense and everyman's heart to everything he does and everyone he teaches. He also has the power of conviction to not be easily swayed from his views. He trusts the path he has taken, and uses his experience to help those around him and his students. I think the best part of Phil is the part I have not seen, he is a father to 3 daughters and has a wonderful wife, and I bet that just being a dad on a daily basis is Phil's greatest talent. Thanks, Phil.
On the other side of the age spectrum is Brian, Brian went to Miss. State, and the two of us are going to try to figure out how to see a State baseball game somewhere next year. He taught last year in Mississippi, but is moving to Houston to help his best friend coach and teach soccer. Brian is an English teacher, and brings real and honest dedication to his work. He was always being nice to someone in our house. I think he might have done the best job of just meeting people where they were and listening to them and sharing his thoughts with their views. I think he will be a wonderful teacher, and I would have brought him home to teach at Nerinx, but he is too cute and would have provided too much of a distraction to you girls. It is amazing how both Phil and Brian although completely different people share a real love of family. Brian has two brothers that he talked about often and very fondly. You can tell he has a real admiration for the work his father has done.
The third male, is also quite different. Seth Finkle is from New York and taught the Horah (spelling ???---the chair dance to his students at Gulu High). Seth is what you would think of as a fun loving person, who is working hard at theater at NYU. He was the first to welcome us in the house and he has a spirit that is infecting. He just enjoys like and enjoys being Seth. I walked with him this morning to the conference and he relayed a wonderful story about his admiration for a friend of his who is finishing a run playing Simba in the Lion King on Broadway! Seth recognized the significance of the role, but still talked about his friend with the pride and admiration that only a friend can do. He will continue to be a good friend to all he runs into, and I think I have a picture of Seth dancing at HEALS that if I have not uploaded I will soon. I imagine the people that are close friends of Seth to be very lucky people, and I also expect that each week he is alive, this number continues to grow.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Service, Track Meet, and Reminders of Home
This morning we got up and went into Awere school to do community service. They are off school today because of the big city wide track meet. I have sent a picture to my dad showing one of the classrooms I teach. Maybe he has uploaded it by now.
Since some of the students stay at school, we were the big attraction, as we washed the chalkboards, we often had a crowd of 10 or 12 students watching us. I cannot imagine, 12 Americans watching people wash board after board, but these kids did, and followed us to each classroom.
We then talked about our presentation at the workshop tomorrow. Alfred came up with a wonderful beginning on how to present teaching with limited resources. I will save that story for home. We then had the buffet at Diana Gardens, all 5 American teachers from Awere and 4 of our Ugandan counterparts. Trying to explain Halloween to them was funny, they did not seem to grasp the concept, especially when I described a Jack O Lantern
We then got to Pece (pe-che) stadium for the end of the track meet, there must have been 20,000 high school students cheering on over 30 schools. The track was grass, with spray paint and only the inside lane had been worn to dirt over use. We saw three heats of the 4 x 400, many runners were in bare feet. And the uniforms were often not there. The Awere kids who were cheering on the sidelines were very happy to see the Mu noo teachers. I have a picture of a kid with a very worn Cardinal shirt that walked by us. Then on the way home, I saw one of my Awere Senior 3 students with a rather new St. Louis Blues jersey on. Although, it was a little sunny and hot 80 degrees, many in the crowd had umbrellas from the sun.
Alfred and I then went back and made tetrahedrons and icosahedrons with soda straws. It was a great day. Alfred is a very good man and I hope I can do something for him one day and help out my friend.
john
p.s. I also bought gifts for all my nieces....
Since some of the students stay at school, we were the big attraction, as we washed the chalkboards, we often had a crowd of 10 or 12 students watching us. I cannot imagine, 12 Americans watching people wash board after board, but these kids did, and followed us to each classroom.
We then talked about our presentation at the workshop tomorrow. Alfred came up with a wonderful beginning on how to present teaching with limited resources. I will save that story for home. We then had the buffet at Diana Gardens, all 5 American teachers from Awere and 4 of our Ugandan counterparts. Trying to explain Halloween to them was funny, they did not seem to grasp the concept, especially when I described a Jack O Lantern
We then got to Pece (pe-che) stadium for the end of the track meet, there must have been 20,000 high school students cheering on over 30 schools. The track was grass, with spray paint and only the inside lane had been worn to dirt over use. We saw three heats of the 4 x 400, many runners were in bare feet. And the uniforms were often not there. The Awere kids who were cheering on the sidelines were very happy to see the Mu noo teachers. I have a picture of a kid with a very worn Cardinal shirt that walked by us. Then on the way home, I saw one of my Awere Senior 3 students with a rather new St. Louis Blues jersey on. Although, it was a little sunny and hot 80 degrees, many in the crowd had umbrellas from the sun.
Alfred and I then went back and made tetrahedrons and icosahedrons with soda straws. It was a great day. Alfred is a very good man and I hope I can do something for him one day and help out my friend.
john
p.s. I also bought gifts for all my nieces....
The Things They Carry
The Things They Carry
It first struck me on the road to Gulu from Kampala. Any numerous objects as vast as your imagination could thing about were being carried. Often strapped to a bicycle or motorbike, but sometimes just carried. The women tie their infants to their backs, the child’s legs are straddling the mother’s back, and their head is just a little bit outside of the cloth. The amazing thing is that these kids are always asleep. Like being tied to your mother as she tends the field is the most comfortable place you could be. It was interesting that at St. Jude’s orphanage, one of the 8 year old girls insisted on having her doll tied to her back, so she could walk around and “play” with her doll. But imagine going to Home Depot and everything you buy, you have to strap to a bike or a motorbike. Sometimes, people probably have to make more than a half dozen trips to the exact same store. Today as the “basketball club” was leaving the playground, I saw an old man trying to tie firewood to his motorbike. The bike was starting to fall over due to unbalanced weight of the logs. I ran over to help him catch the bike and then held it as he tied the logs on. Without saying a word, he finally decided he would have to leave two logs behind, but still there was no room on the seat for him. I saw him take off down the road as he kind of sat on the gas tank with his load of firewood.
Also every day on the way to school there is a long line at the bore hole aka well. There are forty jerry cans lined up and there is an intricate system of who goes next, but there are always families lined up taking the water that is necessary for each house. And each family member carrying water back. Most of the women carry every thing on top of their head, amd seem real at ease with this system.
SORRY THIS ONE DOESN'T REALLY END. BUT MY NEW STUFF ABOVE IS BETTER BY ITSELF.
john
It first struck me on the road to Gulu from Kampala. Any numerous objects as vast as your imagination could thing about were being carried. Often strapped to a bicycle or motorbike, but sometimes just carried. The women tie their infants to their backs, the child’s legs are straddling the mother’s back, and their head is just a little bit outside of the cloth. The amazing thing is that these kids are always asleep. Like being tied to your mother as she tends the field is the most comfortable place you could be. It was interesting that at St. Jude’s orphanage, one of the 8 year old girls insisted on having her doll tied to her back, so she could walk around and “play” with her doll. But imagine going to Home Depot and everything you buy, you have to strap to a bike or a motorbike. Sometimes, people probably have to make more than a half dozen trips to the exact same store. Today as the “basketball club” was leaving the playground, I saw an old man trying to tie firewood to his motorbike. The bike was starting to fall over due to unbalanced weight of the logs. I ran over to help him catch the bike and then held it as he tied the logs on. Without saying a word, he finally decided he would have to leave two logs behind, but still there was no room on the seat for him. I saw him take off down the road as he kind of sat on the gas tank with his load of firewood.
Also every day on the way to school there is a long line at the bore hole aka well. There are forty jerry cans lined up and there is an intricate system of who goes next, but there are always families lined up taking the water that is necessary for each house. And each family member carrying water back. Most of the women carry every thing on top of their head, amd seem real at ease with this system.
SORRY THIS ONE DOESN'T REALLY END. BUT MY NEW STUFF ABOVE IS BETTER BY ITSELF.
john
Thursday, July 5, 2007
The Counter
It is very humbling to see the counter on my blog go up by leaps and bounds. It is also great to hear from old friends and people I have never met. I feel I have to keep writing, so if things get boring let me know and I will start running repeats until I can get the writers to craft a very special episode of Magee in Uganda.
I am starting to bring my lap top to bed, so it is a good time to write. I had dinner with Amy Colleen Fitzgerald, who is doing research at Gulu University on peace research. One of the real interesting things she said was Northern Uganda might give a real gift to the world in showing how they can come out of a 20 year war with a much different model than we have seen before. She graduated from Wash U in 2002 and her and her husband kind of reside with 4 other people living in community in Boston. Her husband is going to school for Internal medicine and does some work with Partners in Health (for you Paul Farmer and mountains beyond mountains fans)
I then got home and talked with the Awere teachers about doing community service at Awere on Friday morning when the kids are at a track meet. Sounds great. Brian from Mississippi State (shout out Connor Powers), Trisha from Philadelphia and I walked into Gulu in the evening to try to buy 7up for a teacher that needed some help. We walked into David’s moms health clinic to try to buy Alka-Seltzer for a science experiment. Trisha then tried to make an Alka rocket to celebrate the 4th, it did not work because it was not in tablet form just powder and she could not get the lid closed on the film can quick enough. MacGyver (you know the tall guy) suggested wrapping the powder in toiler paper as a slow fuse. It worked.
We then walked up the street where the IC VIP house was holding a 4th of July party. The early part was several American tunes, with Sarah the Brit who is head of IC here jumping in the middle to sing Rule Britannia. I had a couple of great conversations with the Ugandans including David talking about many things. David told me I talk about my students a lot, so there it is kids. Proof that you guys are always in my thoughts. It was great to just smell a barbecue pit. They had gotten good meat from Kampala and it smelled like an American back yard. Chris amd Amy then danced around the yard in the darkness each holding a single sparkler. The dance party was in full swing with some recent club hits that appeal to that younger crowd, but don’t worry as soon as I could I put on a little Nelly and showed them how we dance in the Lou. REPRESENT. I also realized that I have now danced to Nelly on 3 different continents.
It appears I have run out of events and good ideas so
To all my homies celebrating the 4th of Julizzle
Peace out A-town,
John
I am starting to bring my lap top to bed, so it is a good time to write. I had dinner with Amy Colleen Fitzgerald, who is doing research at Gulu University on peace research. One of the real interesting things she said was Northern Uganda might give a real gift to the world in showing how they can come out of a 20 year war with a much different model than we have seen before. She graduated from Wash U in 2002 and her and her husband kind of reside with 4 other people living in community in Boston. Her husband is going to school for Internal medicine and does some work with Partners in Health (for you Paul Farmer and mountains beyond mountains fans)
I then got home and talked with the Awere teachers about doing community service at Awere on Friday morning when the kids are at a track meet. Sounds great. Brian from Mississippi State (shout out Connor Powers), Trisha from Philadelphia and I walked into Gulu in the evening to try to buy 7up for a teacher that needed some help. We walked into David’s moms health clinic to try to buy Alka-Seltzer for a science experiment. Trisha then tried to make an Alka rocket to celebrate the 4th, it did not work because it was not in tablet form just powder and she could not get the lid closed on the film can quick enough. MacGyver (you know the tall guy) suggested wrapping the powder in toiler paper as a slow fuse. It worked.
We then walked up the street where the IC VIP house was holding a 4th of July party. The early part was several American tunes, with Sarah the Brit who is head of IC here jumping in the middle to sing Rule Britannia. I had a couple of great conversations with the Ugandans including David talking about many things. David told me I talk about my students a lot, so there it is kids. Proof that you guys are always in my thoughts. It was great to just smell a barbecue pit. They had gotten good meat from Kampala and it smelled like an American back yard. Chris amd Amy then danced around the yard in the darkness each holding a single sparkler. The dance party was in full swing with some recent club hits that appeal to that younger crowd, but don’t worry as soon as I could I put on a little Nelly and showed them how we dance in the Lou. REPRESENT. I also realized that I have now danced to Nelly on 3 different continents.
It appears I have run out of events and good ideas so
To all my homies celebrating the 4th of Julizzle
Peace out A-town,
John
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
4th of July
So last night at 4 am, the came and came and came and woke me up. It was pouring, unfortunately I had to use the toilet, so I tried to get skinny and stay along the wall like a cat burglar. Apparently, cat burglars are skinnier than me, because I got hit with a cold, cold ran. It was especially the worst when I hit the big drip that was running off the roof. YEEEEEEOOOOWWW!!! I was curious to see how the rain was going to effect Awere school this morning. And just as important, I was hoping that the rain would not hamper the ability of Denis to meet with Geoffrey his mentor at the IC house this morning. I know he can make it back and be something.
Class was fun today as we started with only about 11 students because of the rain. Alfred plans so much for each class, it was fun to just wing it. We started by reviewing the night's home work and I soon was able to sneak in the Identity Matrix. As Alfred collected the exercise books. I was also able to rework another problem. I know it was difficult to walk to school this morning in the rain through the mud, so I really admire the 13 or so students who were that at 8:15. We eventually had more than 40 before the 80 minute period ended,
I am writing this at Awere during a break. We had beef and rice today for lunch which is much better than the potio and beans they have every day at Gulu high and at most schools. Potio is like harder mashed potatoes with a third of the taste. The H.E.A.L.S. group left yesterday they were Josh, Megan, and Christine. Three really good people who did a lot at the afterschool program that Jolie runs. Josh was a great roommate and endeared himself to me at the very end by leaving almost a full pill bottle of immodium. After taking my first CIPRO of the trip on friday night, I have not had any more problems. We compare notes on our movements as regular conversation. My favorite quote was by South Carolina spitfire Danielle who said last week, " Every time I poop it's a party!" So although living together and eating the same food, we have different reactions. Maybe next volleyball game it should be the immodiums versus the fiber pills.
btw, It is time to get the Cardinals going.
I found out I was wrong. Nyeko Alfred, my colleague's name, Nyeko, means jealousy or in other words during his birth some friend or relative of his mother's was jealous. Also first girl twin is Apiyo and second one is Acen. So I forget is is Apiyo Elise and Acen Erin or Apiyo Erin and Acen Elise (ACEN is pronounced a-chen)
As I left school today, one class was laughing hysterically and I saw another young girl working feverishly on her assignment. It does not matter the resources, I think all teennagers will find a way to laugh, and in every school there will be the one student who works real hard no matter how big the obstacles.
john
Class was fun today as we started with only about 11 students because of the rain. Alfred plans so much for each class, it was fun to just wing it. We started by reviewing the night's home work and I soon was able to sneak in the Identity Matrix. As Alfred collected the exercise books. I was also able to rework another problem. I know it was difficult to walk to school this morning in the rain through the mud, so I really admire the 13 or so students who were that at 8:15. We eventually had more than 40 before the 80 minute period ended,
I am writing this at Awere during a break. We had beef and rice today for lunch which is much better than the potio and beans they have every day at Gulu high and at most schools. Potio is like harder mashed potatoes with a third of the taste. The H.E.A.L.S. group left yesterday they were Josh, Megan, and Christine. Three really good people who did a lot at the afterschool program that Jolie runs. Josh was a great roommate and endeared himself to me at the very end by leaving almost a full pill bottle of immodium. After taking my first CIPRO of the trip on friday night, I have not had any more problems. We compare notes on our movements as regular conversation. My favorite quote was by South Carolina spitfire Danielle who said last week, " Every time I poop it's a party!" So although living together and eating the same food, we have different reactions. Maybe next volleyball game it should be the immodiums versus the fiber pills.
btw, It is time to get the Cardinals going.
I found out I was wrong. Nyeko Alfred, my colleague's name, Nyeko, means jealousy or in other words during his birth some friend or relative of his mother's was jealous. Also first girl twin is Apiyo and second one is Acen. So I forget is is Apiyo Elise and Acen Erin or Apiyo Erin and Acen Elise (ACEN is pronounced a-chen)
As I left school today, one class was laughing hysterically and I saw another young girl working feverishly on her assignment. It does not matter the resources, I think all teennagers will find a way to laugh, and in every school there will be the one student who works real hard no matter how big the obstacles.
john
Several Different Thoughts
03 July 2007
Several Different Thoughts
I forgot to tell everyone another interesting story. All the Acholi people have names that they use at the beginning of their name. So Amos’ name is Orach Amos, when I asked what his name meant, he said it means my mom had me in a bad place, which I think means he is a breech baby. They also have a way of naming twins by who is born first. Erin and Elise I will try to have that for you before I finish this message. There was no water again, but I found a bucket outside with enough water to flush our working toilet. I have kind of taken on that responsibility to fill the toilet with water after a certain accumulation over a night or period with no water. Compared to some of the pit latrines, this is a deluxe bathroom.
Last night, I met two teachers from Ames, Iowa who were here with high school kids building a primary school. They brought 50 in three different groups, and I hit them up for a lot of info and have their e-mail accounts. Students, I am far from making this commitment, but you should know that I am doing a lot to gather information to see if it is possible. It still is going to be between $ 3000-$ 4000, but it is at least a possibility. Tomorrow night, I am meeting Amy Colleen Finnegan who is over here doing research into the peace process and is working in a seminar at Gulu University. Both of us have a connection to Wash U. Catholic Student Center and are now staying a couple of kilometers apart both 10,000 or so miles from Father Gary and his congregation.
Today, was the first day that I actually got to lecture in the class. Alfred is such a nice man, he is always making sure that we are working together to help his students. He also loves to Sudokus, so we have completed a couple together in our down time. I felt really good in the classroom, I got to teach Matrix multiplication in a way slightly different than they have learned. I was happy, because I felt like I got to teach with my personality and laughter in the room. Also, sorry I am skipping around, but we are all sitting in the dark, with candles, and my mind is wandering as I am listening to several conversations at once. But I wanted to tell you that I am the old man here, most of the group is under 30, including a few very experienced professionals who are less than 25.
Okay back to the class, the students were excited that they can approach me for help, and I think I would have had several takers, but it rained heavily after school, so everyone stayed in their buildings, as water was carried in mud ditches away from the school. I will try to get an exterior shot of Awere up on the blog before this week is over. I guess I can never complain about my classroom or facilities again. There is very little sound protection between the classrooms, and Alfred and the students, who like all Ugandans do not talk loudly seem to have no trouble hearing each other. Only the big moo nu at the back of the classroom had to really strain to hear. The students also got a big kick when I exaggerated my American nasal talking style. The Acholi use the word stubborn, like we would use the term smart alec, silly, or crazy. After class, Alfred said like he does a lot with a smile on his face, “Those students are so stubborn.” Apparently two of the students in their answers tried to imitate my American accent.
We had our second round table it was run by Phil, the professor from Boise State, who I think is a great guy. Afterwards, Phil, David (the Acholi I talked about earlier), and I were talking. Phil floated the idea that it might be possible to fly David to Idaho to speak. It would be interesting to capitalize on that same trip and come up with the capital to help finance David’s trip ( how about it Nerinx, Cor Jesu, SLUH parents and alums) this is probably someone your sons and daughters should hear. All of the soda bottles are deposit, and if you buy one from a gas station they really want you to drink it on premises. So walking away with half a case of 300 mL bottles can be tricky, but we have a good reputation here and usually can do it at the Shell station. Btw, most people in town, will not make change for a 20,000 /= bill (about $12.50) so you have to frequently go to the gas station, because they do make change. Next to the Shell station, I got to meet David’s mom and sister, David’s mom is a midwife and has a small clinic where she treats patients for a myriad of ailments. She like many Acholis told me I was most welcome here. The Lwo word for thank you is Apwoyo ( pronounced -- a foy o) and is often connected to another word. The ones that I really like to hear and is usually spoken by an older, wise women is Apwoyo Bino which means “Thank you, you are welcome here.” I think I am going to say that to all the new freshmen I meet in August. I really like the intent and kindness that I feel from those words. If you could somehow feel the kind smile that is attached to those words, you would feel welcome and just feel really good about being here.
So tonight, since I am now teaching I am giving you homework. Your assignment is to say Apwoyo Bino to someone in the next day. It is again from the Lwo language which is the language spoken by the Acholi people of Northern Uganda.
Apwoyo Matek,
John
Several Different Thoughts
I forgot to tell everyone another interesting story. All the Acholi people have names that they use at the beginning of their name. So Amos’ name is Orach Amos, when I asked what his name meant, he said it means my mom had me in a bad place, which I think means he is a breech baby. They also have a way of naming twins by who is born first. Erin and Elise I will try to have that for you before I finish this message. There was no water again, but I found a bucket outside with enough water to flush our working toilet. I have kind of taken on that responsibility to fill the toilet with water after a certain accumulation over a night or period with no water. Compared to some of the pit latrines, this is a deluxe bathroom.
Last night, I met two teachers from Ames, Iowa who were here with high school kids building a primary school. They brought 50 in three different groups, and I hit them up for a lot of info and have their e-mail accounts. Students, I am far from making this commitment, but you should know that I am doing a lot to gather information to see if it is possible. It still is going to be between $ 3000-$ 4000, but it is at least a possibility. Tomorrow night, I am meeting Amy Colleen Finnegan who is over here doing research into the peace process and is working in a seminar at Gulu University. Both of us have a connection to Wash U. Catholic Student Center and are now staying a couple of kilometers apart both 10,000 or so miles from Father Gary and his congregation.
Today, was the first day that I actually got to lecture in the class. Alfred is such a nice man, he is always making sure that we are working together to help his students. He also loves to Sudokus, so we have completed a couple together in our down time. I felt really good in the classroom, I got to teach Matrix multiplication in a way slightly different than they have learned. I was happy, because I felt like I got to teach with my personality and laughter in the room. Also, sorry I am skipping around, but we are all sitting in the dark, with candles, and my mind is wandering as I am listening to several conversations at once. But I wanted to tell you that I am the old man here, most of the group is under 30, including a few very experienced professionals who are less than 25.
Okay back to the class, the students were excited that they can approach me for help, and I think I would have had several takers, but it rained heavily after school, so everyone stayed in their buildings, as water was carried in mud ditches away from the school. I will try to get an exterior shot of Awere up on the blog before this week is over. I guess I can never complain about my classroom or facilities again. There is very little sound protection between the classrooms, and Alfred and the students, who like all Ugandans do not talk loudly seem to have no trouble hearing each other. Only the big moo nu at the back of the classroom had to really strain to hear. The students also got a big kick when I exaggerated my American nasal talking style. The Acholi use the word stubborn, like we would use the term smart alec, silly, or crazy. After class, Alfred said like he does a lot with a smile on his face, “Those students are so stubborn.” Apparently two of the students in their answers tried to imitate my American accent.
We had our second round table it was run by Phil, the professor from Boise State, who I think is a great guy. Afterwards, Phil, David (the Acholi I talked about earlier), and I were talking. Phil floated the idea that it might be possible to fly David to Idaho to speak. It would be interesting to capitalize on that same trip and come up with the capital to help finance David’s trip ( how about it Nerinx, Cor Jesu, SLUH parents and alums) this is probably someone your sons and daughters should hear. All of the soda bottles are deposit, and if you buy one from a gas station they really want you to drink it on premises. So walking away with half a case of 300 mL bottles can be tricky, but we have a good reputation here and usually can do it at the Shell station. Btw, most people in town, will not make change for a 20,000 /= bill (about $12.50) so you have to frequently go to the gas station, because they do make change. Next to the Shell station, I got to meet David’s mom and sister, David’s mom is a midwife and has a small clinic where she treats patients for a myriad of ailments. She like many Acholis told me I was most welcome here. The Lwo word for thank you is Apwoyo ( pronounced -- a foy o) and is often connected to another word. The ones that I really like to hear and is usually spoken by an older, wise women is Apwoyo Bino which means “Thank you, you are welcome here.” I think I am going to say that to all the new freshmen I meet in August. I really like the intent and kindness that I feel from those words. If you could somehow feel the kind smile that is attached to those words, you would feel welcome and just feel really good about being here.
So tonight, since I am now teaching I am giving you homework. Your assignment is to say Apwoyo Bino to someone in the next day. It is again from the Lwo language which is the language spoken by the Acholi people of Northern Uganda.
Apwoyo Matek,
John
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